The 56th Annual Beaufort Water Festival kicks-off tonight. The festival bring out the best local food, and fun while folks enjoy the waterways of the lowcountry.
The Water Festival is a huge event showcasing, local music, restaurants, and crafts. but the main events happen on the water. all week there will be boat races, and water competitions that will leave you wanting more.
"It's a great community event, it's great for the clubs and charities in Beaufort to come out and volunteer, and it's great for the families of Beaufort who plan their vacations around this, 'staycations' as we like to call them," said Bill Damude of the Beaufort Water Festival.
An estimated 70,000 visitors will attend throughout the week .
"It's very good for the local economy, from the restaurants up and down Bay street to the hotels and Holiday Inns and Hilton Gardens, and all the different ones we have in the area. It's a great event for us and it's a great event for businesses definitely."
Vendor Nancy Sterns of Hinesville, GA, says for her it's not just about making money, she enjoys it too.
"Well I enjoy seeing everything that goes on, the boat races, the hospital bed races, I like the Lowcountry Bowl, I like to get away from home and not do no housework haha!"
The week long festival offers something for everyone. Organizers say the expect big crowds this weekend, and are hoping with the crowds comes the cash flow into our local economy.
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